Lenfest recieve this year's Philadelphia Award
One of the city’s most prestigious awards was given to a couple of philanthropists last night. Gerry and Marguerite Lenfest received the Philadelphia Award for their contributions to the city in the last year.
One of the city’s most prestigious awards was given to a couple of philanthropists last night. Gerry and Marguerite Lenfest received the Philadelphia Award for their contributions to the city in the last year.
Listen:
[audio: 090513pcaward.mp3]
The married couple made millions from the sale of their cable television company. Last year they made large contributions to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Curtis Institute of Music. Governor Ed Rendell and Mayor Michael Nutter attended the event. The leaders agreed the Lenfests have made possible many significant civic projects.
Mr. Lenfest said that when they were told three months ago that they would receive the award, his wife of 54 years refused to accept it.
Lenfest: Marguerite said she didn’t want to receive it. It took them 20 minutes to convince her to get the award. That my wife – she’s not ego-driven and she at first refused and then she relented.
Past Philadelphia Awards have been given to opera singer Marion Anderson, humanitarian Sister Mary Scullion, and architects Louis Khan and Edmund Bacon. Governor Rendell said the Lenfests are able to inspire giving in other people.
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